People across India have taken to their balconies to praise emergency personnel and sanitation workers who are on the frontline in trying to defeat Covid-19. Millions of people were in lockdown on Sunday as the government imposed a one-day curfew to test the country's ability to fight the pandemic
Continue reading...Category Archives: Coronavirus outbreak
Gaza confirms first coronavirus cases as West Bank shuts down
Arrival of Covid-19 raises fears about how besieged territory’s health system will cope
The first two cases of Covid-19 in Gaza have been confirmed, raising fears about how the besieged territory’s overstretched health system will cope if the virus spreads through its population of 2 million.
In the West Bank, Mohammad Shtayyeh, the Palestinian prime minister ordered people to stay at home for two weeks from Sunday night in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, with exemptions for medical personnel, pharmacists, grocers and bakers. People will be allowed out to shop for food.
Continue reading...Urgent call to head off new debt crisis in developing world
Covid-19 crisis is raising borrowing costs for poorer nations just as commodity exports, tourism and remittances sent home fall
Rapid action is needed to head off the risk of a new debt crisis in the world’s poorest countries amid evidence that the Covid-19 pandemic is raising borrowing costs and hitting commodity exports, according to a leading campaign group.
A Jubilee Debt Campaign report said some of the world’s most vulnerable nations were being hit by a double whammy of increasing debt interest bills and the tumbling price of oil and other raw materials.
Continue reading...Tokyo Olympics organisers considering options to delay – reports
As thousands flock to the Olympic flame in Japan, the organising committee is reportedly drafting plans to postpone the Games
As huge crowds defied coronavirus fears to queue for hours to see the Olympic flame in northern Japan, a report emerged that organisers of Tokyo 2020 have begun drafting alternatives to holding the Games this summer.
In contrast to the official line from the Japanese government and the IOC, two sources familiar with the talks have told news agency Reuters that options for postponing the Games are now being drawn up.
Continue reading...As Australia goes off the coronavirus cliff, the question is how hard will it land? | Katharine Murphy
A significant spike in cases and state lockdowns are signals that life has changed. It’s all now on the health system
Anyone watching events on Sunday will know the coronavirus story is now moving so fast it is hard to keep on top of what’s happening.
So let’s keep this simple. Let’s be very clear what happened.
Continue reading...Coronavirus live news: Angela Merkel in quarantine; Spain set to extend state of emergency
German chancellor in self-isolation after her doctor tests positive for coronavirus; reports say 360 more people have died in Italy; first two cases in Gaza. Follow the latest updates
- UK could face Italy-style lockdown, warns Boris Johnson
- US coronavirus latest updates
- Australia coronavirus – live updates
- Italy shuts all non-essential businesses after 793 die in one day
- Last Spanish flu survivor offers coronavirus warning
- See all our coronavirus coverage
UK residents have been told that “essential travel” does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks, whether for isolation purposes or holidays and that they should remain in their primary residence.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport updated its guidance to avoid non-essential travel in the UK, saying: “This guidance is for people planning to visit second homes or holiday premises during the coronavirus pandemic.
During the coronavirus pandemic, people should avoid travelling unless it is essential. This means you should avoid visiting holiday or second homes.
Find out more: https://t.co/3JrFy1IQwH
#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/EtUt5QcBzN
The Welsh government has warned that people will face a tough crackdown if they refuse to self-isolate and continue with non-essential travel during the outbreak.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said it is important members of the public follow the official advice to prevent further deaths.
Continue reading...Trump talks himself up as ‘wartime president’ to lead America through a crisis
The president initially scoffed at the coronavirus. Now he seems convinced he can lead – and secure four more years in November
Bill Clinton used to lament that his time as US president was broadly peaceful, and lacked a historic test of his mettle. Donald Trump believes that his moment has arrived: a crisis on a par with leading a nation at war.
Related: Lay off those war metaphors, world leaders. You could be the next casualty… | Simon Tisdall
Continue reading...Construction of US-Mexico border wall proceeds despite coronavirus pandemic
The Trump administration announced plans to erect 150 miles of barrier on the border, involving large numbers of contractors
The Trump administration is ramping up construction of its multibillion-dollar southern border wall, despite the rapidly escalating coronavirus epidemic which threatens to kill thousands of Americans and plunge the country into economic recession.
Earlier this week, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced plans to erect more than 150 miles of the 30ft border wall in Arizona, New Mexico and California – in addition to ongoing construction work at at least 15 sites across those states and Texas.
Continue reading...Australia is easing superannuation access for those worst-hit by coronavirus. But can we afford it?
Tax-free withdrawals will be capped at $10,000 this financial year and will allow those struggling to pay rent, meet mortgage repayments and buy food
• What Australia’s $189bn coronavirus economic rescue package means for you
• Follow our Australia coronavirus live blog
• Follow our global coronavirus live blog
Australians who are laid off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak will be allowed to pull money out of their superannuation, Scott Morrison announced on Sunday.
Withdrawals will be capped at $10,000 this financial year, and a further $10,000 next financial year, and will be tax-free, the prime minister and his treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, said.
Continue reading...Britons stranded in Peru could be flown home early next week
South American country closed borders a week ago in attempt to stop spread of coronavirus, stranding 400 British citizens
Hundreds of Britons stranded in Peru due to the coronavirus pandemic could be flown home early next week, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said.
More than 400 British and Irish citizens are believed to be in the Andean nation and have been unable to leave following a 15-day government lockdown imposed since Monday.
Continue reading...UK military planners drafted in to help feed vulnerable in Covid-19 outbreak
Food stockpilers told they should be ‘ashamed’ as prime minister urges Britons not to make mother’s day visits
Key military officials are to help ensure food and medicines reach vulnerable people isolated at home during the coronavirus crisis, as part of a nationwide campaign to protect more than a million people most at risk of being hospitalised.
Community pharmacies, voluntary groups and food retailers are in talks with the government to ensure essential items reach people being told to remain in their home. Those believed to be at most risk are being contacted on how best to protect themselves, and being strongly advised to stay home for at least 12 weeks.
Continue reading...Congress and White House resume talks on $1tn pandemic rescue deal
Officials say the economic package could pump $2tn into the US economy which would provide paychecks and funds to hospitals
Negotiators from Congress and the White House resumed top-level talks Saturday on a ballooning $1tn-plus economic rescue package, urged by Donald Trump to strike a deal to steady a nation thoroughly upended by the coronavirus pandemic.
It was an extraordinary moment in Washington: Congress undertaking the most ambitious federal effort yet to shore up households and the US economy and a president angry and lashing out at all comers. All while the global outbreak and the nationwide shutdown grip an anxious, isolated population bracing for a healthcare crisis and looming recession.
Continue reading...Doctors warn coronavirus could overwhelm NHS ‘within weeks’
Intensive care audit shows sharp rise in admissions to critical care as London hospitals struggle to cope
The numbers of coronavirus patients needing life-or-death care have been doubling every three days, a report by senior doctors has revealed. London is worst affected, but the rest of the UK will soon be hit with a similar surge, the document warns.
The audit of intensive care carried out since the epidemic began shows that patients needing the highest level of help soared from 50 on 9 March to almost 200 on 19 March – and doctors fear this spike could turn into a nationwide surge within a few weeks.
Continue reading...We have a once in a generation responsibility to confront Covid-19 | Sadiq Khan
America seems reluctant to lead in this crisis: so Europe, and Britain, must step up
Covid-19 is the biggest health, social and economic emergency we have faced since the second world war. And while we’re only at the beginning of the process of halting its spread, we will be living with the consequences for many years to come.
Our first responsibility is to save lives. That means giving our fantastic NHS staff the time and resources they need. The biggest threat to life is if hospitals are overrun – with more patients requiring intensive care than there are beds available – as we’ve seen in Italy with devastating consequences. We’re already starting to see some London hospitals really feeling the strain.
Continue reading...Panic-buyers urged to ‘be responsible and think of others’ amid Covid-19 pandemic – video
The environment secretary, George Eustice, has urged panic-buyers to only purchase what they need in order to not make shopping difficult for frontline workers, such as NHS staff. Standing in for Boris Johnson on Saturday at the government’s daily briefing, he said: 'Be responsible when you shop and think of others. Buying more than you need means others may be left without'
Continue reading...A tale for our times: laughter is still the best medicine | Nancy Banks-Smith
For one moment 100 years ago a war widow and a plague orphan had fun courtesy of Charlie Chaplin
Gather round my skirts, children, while I tell you about the great plague of 1919. It killed my Aunt Lucy, who was not, as her name suggests, an elderly spinster.
She was young and pregnant and wore a yard of red gold curls piled on her head. To have hair long enough to sit on was considered a mark of beauty. My grandmother always blamed her husband, believing the pregnancy had killed her. He may well have brought the virus back from the front. Either way, she never forgave him. Good at incubating a grudge, my Grandma Nancy.
Continue reading...Chinese people venture outdoors as coronavirus fears ease – video
People in Beijing and Shanghai are going outside for the first time in months as warmer weather coincides with a gradual easing of fears across China about the coronavirus. It comes days after China reported no new domestic transmissions of Covid-19, a major milestone in the country’s fight against the pandemic
Continue reading...Iran ‘frees French researcher under prisoner exchange deal’
Roland Marchal, whose colleague remains in detention, reportedly released in return for Iranian engineer
Emmanuel Macron says Iran has freed a French researcher imprisoned in the country, after France reportedly released an Iranian threatened with extradition to the US.
Macron said on Saturday he was “happy to announce the release of Roland Marchal, imprisoned in Iran since June 2019” and urged the Iranian authorities to immediately also free fellow researcher Fariba Adelkhah, the French president’s office said.
Continue reading...Coronavirus news: Spain death toll passes 1,300 as Singapore reports first two deaths – live updates
Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latest.
- Italy and Spain record highest single-day death tolls
- New York announces all non-essential workers must stay home
- The week explained | Sign up for our weekly newsletter
- See all our coronavirus coverage
Boris Johnson is speaking to supermarket bosses today about how to overcome the panic buying that is gripping the UK. They will also discuss efforts to keep supplies flowing.
The meetings come ahead of the government’s daily press conference, which will be hosted by the environment secretary, George Eustice, in place of Johnson.
Scotland’s chief constable, Iain Livingstone, has warned the police will enforce the ban on all pubs, clubs and restaurants staying open — a ban he said he fully supported.
In a statement, Livingstone thanked “the overwhelming majority” of people complying with the ban. “To be clear, no public houses or other entertainment venues should be opening for patrons until further notice,” he said.
We are aware of proposed legislation in relation to COVID-19 and are carefully monitoring its progress and considering what the implications for policing will be.
In the meantime, those breaking the law will be dealt with appropriately to ensure the public is kept safe from risk and harm as we continue to police the country.
Continue reading...Covid-19: disaster declared in New York as fears grow over lack of ventilators
- Widespread shortage of equipment including gloves and masks
- Cuomo: urgent need for ‘ventilators, ventilators, ventilators’
New York is preparing to ration its ventilators for sick coronavirus patients as a major disaster was declared in the city as it struggles to cope with the deadly outbreak.
Related: Coronavirus map of the US: latest cases state by state
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